Every year in the November-December issue of the Journal of Swine Health and Production (JSHAP) we publish a list of the peer reviewers who have kindly volunteered their time and expertise to review submitted manuscripts. And, in many of my messages for the November-December issues I have extended a thank-you personally. Well, I want to thank everyone again who has contributed to the journal in their own way. Perhaps it is a repetitive message but I sincerely think it is important and so, I am going to thank you again.
The manuscript contributions of the scientific component of every issue are a result of a team effort. Obviously, the authors, but also the peer reviewers and editorial and staff team invest significant time and energy into each published manuscript. Call me biased, but I think that as swine veterinarians, swine scientists, etcetera we are very lucky to have a journal so species and topic specific available to us. In order to keep the flow of information adding to our growing swine library, we need the combined and collaborative efforts of many. In past messages I have asked you to thank a reviewer and again in this message I invite you to turn to the list and recognize all those individuals who have volunteered their time and expertise to provide a peer review. If you see one of these peer reviewers in your daily travels or at a conference, please pass on a thank you.
I am always impressed with how progressive and collaborative our profession is, and another example came across my desk recently. At the time when I was writing this message, the AASV e-Letter published a message bringing member attention to the availability of the “Developing Day-1 Competencies for Swine Veterinary Graduates” report.1 If by some chance you haven’t seen the report, then you can access it here www.aasv.org/news/story.php?id=11937. The development of swine specific entry-level veterinary competencies is a highly valuable addition to our profession, and I wanted to use this message to extend a thank you to those involved in that project. To any veterinary students reading this message, I also recommend you check out the competency list. I am involved in the veterinary curriculum here at my home university and the entry-level competency list is a great tool to aid in informing my own lectures and instructional exercises. It is also a productive way for students to take ownership of their own learning as well. What a great example of supporting the growth of our profession and I encourage students to also thank anyone they recognize who has contributed to the project. I look forward to seeing the complete manuscript once published.
I will also, shamelessly, take this opportunity to remind everyone that there is always opportunity to be a peer reviewer for the journal. We always need peer reviewers! The journal has a link (uoguelph.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3q6Wc4gJKegOGGh) where you can indicate your interest to be a reviewer and provide some information regarding your area of interest and expertise.
Regarding this issue of JSHAP, I hope you enjoy the manuscripts. Thank you to everyone who has contributed and continues to contribute time and expertise to the journal.
Terri O’Sullivan, DVM, PhD
Executive Editor
References
*1. AASV Foundation-funded Report available: Developing day-1 competencies for swine veterinary graduates. American Association of Swine Veterinarians website. https://www.aasv.org/news/story.php?id=11937. Updated September 3, 2019. Accessed September 3, 2019.
* Non-refereed reference.